Group celebrates Dana footpath decision

Shropshire Council submitted the proposals for the new footpath outside Shrewsbury Castle, which would bypass Dana Steps, in partnership with the town council which had set aside £50,000 for the scheme.

Now, planning officers have given the scheme the green light, meaning work on the path, which will go through the brick wall on the Dana footpath and then along the wall and onto the forecourt to the castle, can get underway.

It is hoped the new footpath will solve long-running access issues for the elderly, people with disabilities, and parents with pushchairs, wishing to go from Castle Gates onto the Dana footpath.

Currently the path is only accessible via a steep flight of steps.

Michael Nixon, chairman of Castlefields Action Team, which was involved in the campaign for a new footpath, paid tribute to everyone who worked to get the plans approved.

He said: “We are delighted that the accessible Dana path has received approval by Shropshire Council and also delighted that Shrewsbury Town Council is providing a grant to enable it to happen.

“This will mean that wheelchair users, people with prams, buggies and shopping trolleys, and people who have difficulty going up and down the 19 steps will be able to take the accessible route through the castle forecourt.

“This is a wonderful example of the councils working with the local community and on behalf of Castlefields Action Team I would like to thank our councillor Alan Mosley and the councillors and council officers who have worked so hard to make the accessible route a reality.”

The plan has been at the centre of a disagreement between the town council and Shropshire Horticultural Society, which withdrew its own proposal for a footpath earlier this year.

The successful designs got the backing of Historic England, as long as high quality materials and appropriate aftercare and maintenance is carried out to the “sensitive” area.

Shrewsbury Civic Society also gave its support to the plans.

Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "This is tremendous news which represent great collaboration between planning and conservation at Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council in responding to strong community demands.

"It is a practical, affordable and very attractive solution to a very long standing problem of access to and from the town.

"Large numbers of people who have been unable to use the path because of the 19 steps will be able to access the path in future.

"As Labour Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council I am delighted that we have been able to allocate £50,000 of capital funding to complete the project as soon as possible.

"I also congratulate the Castlefields Action Team and Councillors Bannerman and Kenny for their efforts in assisting in this success."